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Meetings headed downtown
As American cities are spruced up and their new desirability draws waves of residents, meeting planners are also taking a second look. But cities will have to adapt to meet this new market.
“Cities need to show meeting planners that they have more than just a big convention center, so they are taking a more creative role,” hospitality industry consultant Mark Eble told MeetingsFocus.com.
“The CVBs have spent a lot of time and money seeing what groups want. One of the things they want is entertainment, and cities are working hard to give this to them” added the regional vice president for PKF Consulting in Indianapolis.
He points out that much of the nation’s newfound appreciation for downtown amenities is happening in second- and third-tier convention cities, many of which have discovered they need more restaurants, clubs and sightseeing attractions to support their new or expanded convention centers.
Downtown entertainment districts have become the new must-haves for cities hoping to attract convention delegates and other visitors. Cities around the country are developing complexes offering restaurants and clubs within walking distance of their convention centers. For example:
· LA Live is a $2.5 billion complex of nightclubs, theaters, event spaces, restaurants, and hotels opening in phases next to the Los Angeles Convention Center.
· Kansas City’s Power & Light District will offer nine blocks of restaurants and shopping and entertainment venues.
Report by David Wilkening
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